Recessions lead to an increase in the incidence of burglaries. Nationally, there has already been an increase and it is expected to get worse.

The anecdotal evidence we have about the situation in Brockley suggests that there is no reason to believe that Brockley is an exception to this national pattern. A few days ago, a local Tweeter reported their building had been broken in to. Last week we received an email from someone who listed a number of burglaries that had taken place near their house. We're aware that a burglary spree took place on our street recently before the perp was caught.

We've read enough Ben Goldacre columns not to try and infer too much from such unscientific data, but it is clear that taking sensible steps to protect your home from burglary is a smart move.

We are planning to speak to the local Safer Neighbourhoods teams to ask them for their insights and advice about the local picture, but in the mean time, we need to tell you about this:

Free crime prevention advice available today, between 2pm and 5pm from the Safer Lewisham Partnership bus that will be parked on Wickham Road.

You can contact the Brockley Safer Neighbourhoods Team (or get the details for the relevant Team for your house) by clicking here.

not to be contrary but: I have read an account of research from the US that claims this is a red herring. It said that the dominant crime trend in a recession is affected by the reality that people - and notably, ex-cons - tend to spend more time in, since they lack the resources to be out and about. More time at home with the family = less crime. Apparently it is accepted that one of the few things that can affect recidivism rates is living/spending time with one's family.

The researchers contended that while of course, some people who are career criminals will step up their activities, the rest - the many, who commit crimes of opportunity, or "in with the wrong crowd" kinds of crimes (include car theft, burglary, muggings) do not.

I'll reiterate - this is something i read, not something I necessarily believe......and is from the US context.

A similar story I read once was that the NYC murder rate went down during the "zero tolerance" era of Giuliani, not because of policing policy but because ambulances got to the scenes of crimes more quickly, meaning that people were treated earlier and fewer incidents resulted in fatalities. No idea whether that's true, but it's a good story.

Property crime went down pretty steadily in the last decade and the common view is that this was in large part due to rising levels of prosperity and relatively low level of unemployment.

About people staying at home I was told a rather interesting data, that in Lewisham in the south of the borough that is markedly residential there is less street crime and a higher incidence of domestic violence, in the north of the borough instead it's the opposite, more street crime and less domestic violence.

Aren't these initiatives just re-hashed common-sense, or received street-wisdom? A bit like what you can do to insulate your home. I'd be interested to find out if they tell you anything that isn't immediately obvious. Here's a tip: don't leave your doors and windows open/unlocked, and try try to make your home look occupied when you're out.

I agree with Graeme. These are all job creation schemes for understretched Council employees.

By the way, there are two very unsavoury characters cycling slowly up Harefield on tiny bikes shouting obscenities at anyone foolish enough to cross their path or, in one case, be standing at the bus stop.

maybe not but I know my elderly dad has swapped phone/gas/elec so often that he can't remember who he's with. Not so bad if your a cynical youngster and can spot the sharp salesman but does make my blood boil that these guys (assuming they are genuine) have no problem with bamboozling pensioners.

Walking home along Chudleigh Road yesterday I saw a whole group of young men (i.e. age 20-25 or so), dressed in that "smart but still scruffy" way, knocking on doors with clipboards. Couldn't quite hear what they were selling but it looked really dodgy. Some poor old dear was talking to them with the door on a chain. Hope no one got conned.

"in Lewisham in the south of the borough that is markedly residential there is less street crime and a higher incidence of domestic violence, in the north of the borough instead it's the opposite, more street crime and less domestic violence"

This makes sense from a built environment point of view. In leafy suburban areas such as the south of the borough there is likely to be less street life; people have cars and drive to shopping centres. In the more built-up, inner city north of the borough, the population is a lot more dense, there are more shopping areas, more people on foot (fewer cars), and so more chance of street crime.

Ditto domestic violence. In poorer areas, there are likely to be multi-generational, crowded households, which may help to prevent some domestic violence (someone else is always around). In a wealthier suburban area, it's likely to be couples on their own, less chance of being overheard or seen by others.

Also the old don't necessarily want to live with their families - to be dependent on your children, feeling beholden and guilty for any attention and in the way if you pop into the kitchen for a cup of tea. A "granny flat" or separate house half a street away is the ideal, but way out of the reach of most families. And a state pension that is actually above the official poverty level might help.

(Anyone who wants to join - or knows anyone else who might want to join - Lewisham Pensioners Forum to campaign on just these issues, it's free and all you need to do is ring 020 8690 7869.)

(Sorry, Nick et al., I do hijack this blog for my own agendas, but a little bit of work promotion justifies the time I spend here in work hours!)

Someone's covered over the mural of Jimi Hendrix in black paint. The image was chosen as a result of a competition for the Brockley Max a few years ago. I despair and it makes me question why I bother to try and make Brockley a better place to live.

All the murals are on walls owned by Brockley MOT who gave their permission for them to be painted. It was the owner who alerted me yesterday when I popped in to ask if we could use their electricity (again) for the Opening Night. Apparently it was done a couple of weeks ago. (They also mentioned there's been two film crews filming the murals in the last few weeks - one's a BBC doc on Maya Angelou.)

Brockley MOT have always been very supportive of the festival and really like the murals.